title: Comparative analysis of polymerase chain reaction assay for herpes simplex virus 1 detection in tear.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To comparatively analyze the methodological efficacy of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV) detection in tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 115 patients who were clinically diagnosed with herpes keratitis, and their tear samples were collected for HSV detection. PCR positive rates were analyzed for their dependence on the PCR primers used (conventional PCR primer vs. nested PCR primer), the tear collecting method used (micropipetting vs. collection with schirmer strip), the disease manifestation and the patient's previous medication history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HSV DNA was detected in 23 out of 115 (20%) tear samples. The PCR positive rate in tear samples did not differ depending on the PCR primer or tear collection method used. Typical epithelial lesions showed a higher positive rate (31.4%) than atypical epithelial lesions (10.9%). The previous history of the antiviral agent seemed to affect the PCR positive rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the PCR positive rate was not dependent on the tear collection method or primers, HSV detection in tears using PCR was shown to be a supplementary diagnostic test in typical and atypical herpes epithelitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Laboratory of Corneal Regenerative Medicine and Ocular Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Clinical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mee Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mee Kum
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won Ryang
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Wee
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013666:Tears / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Diagnosis; Keratitis; Polymerase chain reaction; Simplexvirus; Tear sample